Through the eyes of children

BY LAURA MULROONEY, Staff Writer

Two elementary school girls have spearheaded an organization that helps fight poverty and gives hope to those in need.

Calling it Little Hands for Hope, Hailey Duval, five, and Zaire Carter, seven, aim to help low-income families and individuals with basic needs such as food, clothing, shoes and resources.

The two girls, who are stepsisters, came together and formed the idea to help the community based off of their life experience.

The girl’s mothers, Kayla Carter and Samantha Davis, who have known each other since their years at Lakewood High School, have struggled with issues of homelessness and poverty that are all too common for many single parents.

In the past three years, both families have recovered from homelessness and have improved their lives through the help of community resources and shelters such as the Salvation Army and the St. Petersburg Family Clinic.

Now, the young girls want to pay forward their good fortune so that others do not have to experience instability at any point in their lives.

“We don’t have stipulations; if you have a need reach out to us,” Duval responded when asked who qualifies for their assistance. “We work in good faith,” she continued, “if we have it, it’s yours.”

Little Hands for Hope, Inc. was established in 2015 and have already been recognized by Bay News 9’s Everyday Heroes in 2016. They are working towards gaining their status as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization this year.

“Do not give up,’ encourages Carter. “There is a light at the end of the tunnel, there is hope, keep your faith.”

The organization accepts donations and returns everything back to the community.

Donations are given out two or three times a month, usually on weekends, at parks and near local churches.

They are currently looking for volunteers to help with future fundraising events and next year’s charity ball.